Chemistry (styled as CHEMISTRY) is a Japanese pop duo, consisting of Yoshikuni Dōchin(堂珍 嘉邦; born November 17, 1978) and Kaname Kawabata(川畑 要; born January 28, 1979).

History

They were the winners of the Asayan audition (similar to the American Idol series) in 2000 organized by Sony Music Entertainment Japan.

Their first single "Pieces of a Dream" was released on March 3, 2001, and was the best selling single that year (over 2 million). Most of their singles have reached #1 on the Oricon charts; all five albums have reached #1 the day they were released. Their #1 streak was broken by the KinKi Kids' album H Album: Hand, scoring them a #2 rank for Fo(u)r.

Chemistry is also known in Korea for the popular collaboration song "Let's Get Together Now," featuring talents from both Korea and Japan and for collaborating with Korean singer Lena Park who appears in the B-side "Dance with Me" on the "Kimi ga Iru" single.

Their song "Tookage" plays during the credits of the Japanese dub of Open Season.

On March 6, 2008, Kaname Kawabata married model Miki Takahashi. They met after she appeared in the PV for "This Night."

Their single "Period" was selected as the fourth opening for the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

In 2010, Chemistry worked together with the 4-person dance group Synergy to release "Shawty". Another joint work of the two groups was released November 3, 2010, titled "Keep Your Love".

In 2011, Chemistry was tapped by Bandai Visual to record a song for the OVA series, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, due to be the title song for the 3rd episode, "The Ghost of Laplace". "Merry-go-round" is due for release on March 2, 2011, as a follow-up before the OVA's actual release on March 5, 2011.

Their 15th single "Wings of Words" was used as the fourth opening theme for Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny from PHASE-38 to 49. Chemistry performed this song live in collaboration with the two-time Olympic champion in figure skating, Yuzuru Hanyu, at the 2018 Fantasy on Ice in Makuhari and Kanazawa. Kawabata made a solo appearance in the 2016 edition of the ice show as well.

After going on hiatus in 2012 so that both members could focus on pursuing solo careers, the pair resumed activities as a musical duo in 2017. Their new single "Windy" was used as the second ending theme song for the anime adaptation of Altair: A Record of Battles.

Discography

Albums

YearAlbum detailsOricon chartRating
2001The Way We Are Released: November 7, 20011
2003Second to None Released: January 8, 20031
Between the Lines Released: June 18, 20031
2004One X One Released: February 18, 20041
2005Hot Chemistry Released: January 26, 20051
Fo(u)r Released: November 16, 20052
2006Re:fo(u)rm Released: August 9, 200625
All the Best Released: November 22, 20061
2008Face to Face Released: January 30, 20083AllMusic
Winter of Love Released: November 19, 20087AllMusic
2009The Chemistry Joint Album Released: March 11, 200910AllMusic
2010Regeneration Released: February 24, 20107AllMusic
2011Chemistry 2001–2011 Released: March 2, 20116
2012Trinity Released: January 25, 20128
2019Chemistry Released: September 25, 201912
2022The Best & More 2001–2022 Released: February 16, 202213
2024Blue Chemistry Released: March 6, 202423
2026Still Shine: Her Songs, Our Harmony Released: March 4, 202625

Singles

YearTitleOricon chartAlbum
Peak positionWeeks on chart
2001"Pieces of a Dream"132The Way We Are
"Point of No Return"122
"You Go Your Way"114
2002"Kimi o Sagashiteta (New Jersey United)" (君をさがしてた ~New Jersey United~)212Second to None
"Floatin'"16
"It Takes Two"114
"My Gift to You"42
2003"Ashita e Kaeru" (アシタヘカエル)113One X One
"Your Name Never Gone"213
2004"So in Vain"36
"Mirage in Blue"47
"Long Long Way"46Fo(u)r
"Shiroi no Toiki" (白の吐息)86Hot Chemistry
2005"Kimi ga Iru" (キミがいる)49Fo(u)r
"Wings of Words"212
"Almost in Love"68
2006"Yakusoku no Basho" (約束の場所)411Face to Face
"Tōkage" (feat. John Legend (遠影)95
"Top of the World"285All the Best
2007"Sora no Kiseki" (空の奇跡)94Face to Face
"This Night"135
"Saigo no Kawa"411
"Kagayaku Yoru" (supported by Monkey Majik) (輝く夜)183
2008"Life goes on"125Regeneration
"Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora" (恋する雪 愛する空)164Winter of Love
2009"A Place for Us" (with Toko Furuuchi)212The Chemistry Joint Album
"Ano Hi" (feat. Dohzi-T/Once Again (あの日 (feat. Dohzi-T))194Regeneration
2010"Period"121
"Shawty" (Chemistry + Synergy)183Chemistry 2001–2011
"Keep Your Love" (Chemistry + Synergy)113
2011"A Better Tomorrow"162
"Merry-go-round"191
"Independence"171Trinity
"Eternal Smile"191
2019"Angel/Still Walking"202TBA

Videos

YearTitleOricon chart
2002R.A.W. ~Respect and Wisdom- Chemistry Acoustic Live Released: April 10, 2002 Formats: DVD, VHS
2003Chemistry the Videos: 2001-2002 ~What You See is What You Get~ Released: February 14, 2003 Formats: DVD, VHS
Two as We Stand ~Live and Documentary 2002-2003~ Released: September 10, 2003 Formats: DVD, VHS
2005Chemistry in Suntory Hall ~Hibiki~ Released: January 26, 2005 Formats: DVD, UMD
2006Chemistry the Videos: 2003-2006 ~We Sing, Therefore, We Are~ Released: August 9, 2006 Formats: DVD, VHS16
Chemistry 2006 Tour Fo(u)r Released: November 22, 2006 Formats: Blu-ray

External links